Don't tell Cedar Rapids Kennedy that the Class 4A football playoffs have been watered down by having 32 teams. Don't tell Prairie, either.

If the playoffs had not been doubled from 16 teams to 32 in 2008, the Cougars never would have qualified this year with their 4-and-5 record. And believe it or not, the Prairie Hawks would have stayed home as well with their 6-and-3 mark during the regular season.

That would have been a shame.

Kennedy proved its worth by going on the road Wednesday night and tripping Muscatine, 20-17, when the Muskies missed a last-second field goal.

Prairie showed it belonged in the playoffs by nudging Dubuque Senior, 30-28, in a memorable struggle by returning three interceptions for touchdowns.

The Cougars, a No. 12 seed, upset a No. 5 seed. The Hawks, a No. 10 seed, knocked off a No. 7 seed. In the old days, they never would have gotten a chance.

In the old days, eight Class 4A teams from Eastern Iowa made the playoffs and eight teams from Western Iowa made the field. They were seeded 1 through 8 in each region, so there never would have been a No. 12 seed from the east or a No. 10 seed.

If you watched Kennedy or Prairie Wednesday night - or listened on radio or read any of the stories - you know they both played well and deserved to win. Now they advance to the second round on Monday, where they'll face even stiffer odds, but don't bet against them.

Kennedy (5-5) faces the daunting task of trying to tackle No. 4 seed Cedar Falls (9-1) in the UNI-Dome late Monday night. Prairie (7-3) might have a bigger challenge, meeting No. 2 seed Iowa City West (10-0) in Iowa City.

Iowa City West blasted Prairie, 58-27, during the regular season, but Prairie quarterback Jace Hanna missed that game with an injury. The Hawks are a different team now. Their defense is greatly improved and they've discovered a running game with Mitch Christensen, so the rematch could be a different story.

Hanna sprained his left ankle against Dubuque Senior and missed a few plays Wednesday night, but he gamely returned and helped the Hawks win the game despite limping around the field. Count on him answering the bell Monday night.

Kennedy did not face Cedar Falls during the regular season. In any case, the Cougars are a vastly improved club from the outfit that began the season with five straight losses.

Quarterback Riley Fergus has settled into his job and Kennedy's defense has improved as well, so don't be surprised if the Cougars and star tailback Alex Hillyer give Cedar Falls a tough time in the UNI-Dome.

Cedar Falls is good, especially on defense, but the Tigers are not as strong as previous years. It could be a good matchup for Kennedy.

Metro teams went 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs Wednesday. Xavier, Prairie and Kennedy all won their Class 4A openers and Marion nudged Western Dubuque, 29-27, in the first round in Class 3A.

Xavier continues to roll along with a polished outfit. The Saints drilled Iowa City High, 48-10, as Reggie Schulte set another school record with five touchdown passes. He now holds the single game, single season and career TD marks at Xavier.

Xavier hosts Waterloo East Monday night in the second round in another all-Mississippi Valley Conference affair. Waterloo East, a No. 11 seed, upended No. 6-seed Davenport Assumption, 33-14, Wednesday to prove it belongs in the playoffs as well.

The Marion Indians, still reeling a little due to key injuries, rallied to top Western Dubuque on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Hardman to Quinn Cannoy, followed by a forced fumble and recovery to secure the victory.

Marion will entertain DeWitt Central Monday night in a rematch of the regular-season finale at DeWitt last Friday. The Indians lost that game, 17-16, and also lost Andrew Davis (broken leg) and Justin Dolley (torn MCL) to injuries that night.

Marion will have lots of motivation when it faces the Sabers for the second time in 11 days.

It's going to be hard for the four Metro teams to go 4-and-0 again in the second round, but it will be fun to watch them try.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association has taken a lot of criticism for doubling the playoff field four years ago, with critics calling it a money-grubbing move by the IHSAA, but don't tell that to Kennedy or Prairie.

They got an invitation to the big dance and they don't have to apologize to anyone.